Tuesday’s Thoughts!

My thoughts today are brought to you from my adorable great-nephew. He was out with his Daddy the other day at Starbucks. They were behind a lady in line who had been scrolling and scrolling through her phone while waiting in line. Her turn came and she boldly stated, ” Its my birthday, I want my free Starbucks.”   The barista looked at her and said, “Excuse me.”  So she repeated herself,  “Its my birthday I want my free Starbucks.”   She went on to say that she heard that there is some app that you can get and you get free Starbucks. The barista asked if she had their Starbucks app. “No, but its my birthday and I want something free,so I want a free Starbucks.”  He explained to her how that wasn’t exactly how it worked, but she persisted and she did end up walking away with something free. After my nephew’s Daddy ordered his Starbucks, my 4 year old nephew looked up at him and said, “Daddy if that lady wanted something free, I could have given her a free hug!”

I am really thinking that sometimes children should rule the world!

 

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Keep Shining Billy!

I want to share another sparkle from this weekend. We had some friends recently move closer to us, about 2 and 1/2 hours away. They moved from Texas. We visited them on our way home yesterday and it was such a delight! Friends really add so much happiness to life!

Part of what made this visit extra special is that we were able to see their 15 month old baby for the first time.  A baby who I have shared about on here before and I am excited to share once more about him. Billy is  a very special little boy! Here is a link to one of my earlier posts  about him, Sunday’s Awh…Moments

Billy was born with a rare disorder. He had no pulmonary artery, his condition is called heterotaxy. He has had 2 surgeries since he was born and will be getting his 3rd surgery within a couple months. When he was born the Dr. was very blunt with my friends telling them he did not expect Billy to even make it a year. But Billy keeps amazing the Dr.s, not only has he made it, he is thriving. Gaining weight and growing, walking around furniture now. Most heterotaxy babies do not go home from the hospital without a feeding tube, but Billy did, and he was loving little bites of pizza when we were there. For children with this disorder their normal oxygen rate is about 85% . If our oxygen level would drop to 85%, a lot of us would be in the ER!

His Dr. now feels that if the 3rd surgery is as successful as the first 2, that he could still have many years ahead of him. We don’t know what the future holds, but just to see this little boy who has fought through so much, smiling, brings such joy. To hear him laugh, and see him pull himself up on furniture and walk around it, fills your heart with hope.

Thank you dear readers for your thoughts and prayers for him. I’m sure my friends would appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. The surgeries are very risky, I mean you are dealing with the heart. So as you enjoy this little one’s smile,  please keep the prayers coming!

Overflowing Heart

There are the times that as parents you shake your head wondering what are you going to do! But then there are the times where you shake your head in amazement, thinking, I knew we had the best children!

My husband and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary this weekend. I not only have the best children, but the best husband too. We  had a wonderful time away, just relaxing and enjoying time together. Reminiscing about when it all began. Laughing at funny memories and being touched again by other ones. I woke up to several sweet messages today from my husband.

Our hearts were light and filled with joy as we headed home this evening. We pulled in our driveway and said “Awww!”  There were blue lighted snowflakes dancing in a circle on our garage doors. We walked inside the house and all was quiet. One child was studying in their room and another one came walking slowly down the hall looking very tired. We thanked them for the outdoor lights and then were told to look downstairs.

Let me pause here. We have a basement. The definition of a basement I believe is where you store stuff and you just keep adding to it, because you just close the door and no one ever sees it. Then you think of sorting through the stuff, but it makes you tired just by looking at it.

That pretty much described a very big corner of our basement. Imagine our shock when we walked downstairs and the corner was bare! They had cleaned our basement and did a superb job!

I am still in shock. My husband said it was the best gift!

Plus there was still other little things they had done around the house. I asked my husband when are we going away again!

To know that my kids, who had to work this weekend, still took the time to do something that was hard work makes my heart smile. They knew how much we had talked about cleaning the basement up and they made the decision to surprise us.

Once again, money can’t buy the happiness! It could not compare to the love that overflows in my heart right now.

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

You never know where the road may take you … especially when you are on a virtual road trip! Going on a Virtual Road Trip!

Humor and Love can’t stop the rain from falling, but it can add a softness to its touch.

Sometimes the key to the lock can be found inside your very own pocket.

Going on a Virtual Road Trip!

Thinking back to when my kid were young, I remember going on walks with them. Sometimes along the way we would play a simple game. I would say that we are going on a trip, and  would think of something to take that starts with the letter A.  The next person says something with B, then C, etc.  Each time you say something you have to repeat what has been said before as well. We always would get some fun, crazy answers and it was a fun way to help my kids memory.

With that memory coming back to me this morning I thought I would try something. What would happen if we tried playing the game on here? Let’s go on a trip! Do you think we can make it to Z, I have confidence that we can! I will start with something I would bring that starts with A and whoever wants to jump in with B is welcome too! Or if you really can’t think of something that starts with B, then add more A things. The rules are pretty flexible here.  Be as creative as you want! Our vehicle is enormous and will hold absolutely anything!  That includes any kind of animal. 🙂  You can add several things or just one thing. The only rule is that we have to go from A-Z. Lets see what kind of list we can create!

A –  Accordian (for some music on the road. My Mom used to play one. 🙂

Your turn now. In the comments below add something with A, or start with B, your choice!

Giraffe Games!

All photo credits are  from Pinterest

“What is going on? What are they doing?”  Jo asked , as they stared at their other friends.

“I have no clue!”  said Monika.

“Do you see Sherry? She is usually the ringleader whenever something crazy is going on!”

All three of them looked trying to pick Sherry out of the group.

 

“There she is!” said Monika,  ” Looks like she is up to making her funny faces again.

“Seems like they are having fun playing Giraffe games, we should go join them.”  said Gina.

“But wait, where is Gunther?”, asked Monika.

Jo sadly answered, “Remember what happened last time, Gunther came. They wouldn’t let him play in any Giraffe games!”

“Oh that is right, but look he  is playing now, I see him. Yay! Lets go.” and they went running off to join their friends.

Monika was laughing as they ran, for she had spotted Colin.  Like Sherry, he could be crazy as well! He was playing hide and seek, but he really needed to work on his hiding skills. It’s no wonder he had a perfect score of being the 1st one found each time.

Monika  saw Jodi, Jenna and Lynn gathered over to the side. Apparently they were sitting this game of hide and seek out and just relaxing in the sun!

While Monika was hiding she spotted Kat taking a run in the water, looked like she was totally enjoying herself.

Sherry had been found, and she was glad for she was hungry. Didn’t take her long to find something to munch on.

It wasn’t long before everyone was done and soon they started heading off in their separate directions. Poor Tippy though looked confused as to which way he should go.  Did he want to go to Point A or Point B?

Brad and Colin came to help him, but they couldn’t make up their minds either as to which was was best. Confusion reigned in their faces.

They weren’t sure what they were going to do and then along came Gunther and he was very happy to lead them all home.

The sun set and all was quiet and peaceful, another good day it had been. One could only imagine what tomorrow might bring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

 

Happy Tuesday! A chill is in the air today, but thankful for my warm home. So easy to take a warm house for granted, but sadly there are many who don’t have one. I saw a quote earlier this week that said how we complain about how high the electric bill is, when we should be thankful that we have electric! Like being thankful for good, clean running water, once again its not something that everyone has. As you go through your day today think of the things that you can so easily take for granted and be thankful. Your heart can never be too thankful! Let it overflow and have a wonderful day!

1. Can you tell that Math was my least favorite subject in school! 🙂

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Behind the Face

Behind every face is a story and there are a lot of times where we don’t know the story.  We see the bright eyes and charming smile, but we don’t see inside, to the heart that may be breaking apart.

A few years back I knew a girl who smiled a lot. A girl who appeared to be happy, but she wasn’t. A girl who reached out for help, but was met by closed doors. Why the closed doors?  The Mom refused to believe that her daughter was hurting. Others agreed, for after all this girl was from a “good” family, a “good” church, why would she have any problems?

Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Why are we so quick to assume that if you have good things in life that you must not have anything to struggle about! It’s crazy, but I see it happen all the time. We look at ones who live in grand houses and always dressed to a T and think, “Gee, they must have it made!” When in reality the house may be big and spacious, but totally devoid of love, making the person feel very empty inside.

People of every size, shape and color face times of struggle and can feel depressed. That little boy that sits in the cafeteria alone every day, can be just as lonely as the bubbly girl who is surrounded by a group of friends. We can’t see their hearts, by just looking at their face. We need to see behind their eyes and if they let you in to see that, don’t turn them away.

Don’t make light of their troubles, for to them they may be big. Be the one who listens and who can help lift them up, so that when they smile again, it can reflect their heart!

I am so grateful to the ones who have lifted me up in life, when I have needed a helping hand. The ones who have made me truly smile again!

Today, I think again about that girl I once knew and wonder what happened to her. I pray that she has found or will find someone who she can open her heart too. I also pray for the reader who may need someone to see into their heart, and to lend them a helping hand. Know that there are those who care, you are not alone!

What Are They Thinking?

It is a cold, dreary day outside here. An afternoon for curling up in a blanket and reading, which I did. How did you spend your day?  Here are some smiles to brighten your heart. As always,  feel free to add a caption to them! I know very well that I have Clever followers! 🙂

 

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Time to Shine!

As I have said before, inspiration for my posts come from a variety of places. It can be something I see, something I hear, something I read, or just my brain saying “Hey, what about this!”  Tonight I give a shout out to Tippy for his blog post, https://unicorniks.com/2018/12/08/stolen-quote-limelight/.  After reading it and commenting on it with him and Colin, it sparked an idea in my mind. Whether it was a good idea is up for you readers to decide.

Time to Shine!

What was that, a little light was shining into the box. He squinted for he had been used to it being so dark for a long time. Oh he felt the tingles of excitement, as the light continued to shine in. Whoa! He was moving. Where was he going? Was the time finally here?  It had been a long sleep for him and his friends and they were ready to shine once again.

The box  was set down and this time there was a lot of light that poured in, plus a lot of noise! He heard the familiar, happy voices of the children. They were always happy when they saw the box that he and his friends were in. It made him feel special.

Jimmy was so anxious to get out of the box once more, but he knew he needed to wait. One by one his friends were getting taken out before him. First went Jack, then Jill came after.

All of his friends were excited too. There was an extra shine to their complexions on this special day. The day that they came out of the attic. Some were bright red, and some shimmered gold and some had a silver tint to their complexion, but all of them shined bright.

“Mommy, its my turn this year! Remember! ”

“Yes Shane, I know, here you go, now be careful with it.” replied Shane’s Mom. 

“Up we go!” said Shane’s Daddy, as he lifted him up high to put him on his shoulders.

Jimmy was always a little nervous about this part, for he really didn’t want to be dropped!

“Put it on straight Shane.”, his Daddy said.

Jimmy did his best to straighten himself up, it felt good to stretch!

“I did it!” shouted Shane, and his Daddy brought him back down to the ground.

Jimmy felt so good being up so high. He was at the tippety top of the tree! He always got a little dizzy at first, until he got used to it.

“Turn on the lights Daddy, turn them on!” the children begged

“Oooooh….Awwww…So beautiful….So pretty!” were the cries from the family below as they admired their Christmas Tree.

“I love the twinkling star,!” said little Sarah

Jimmy twinkled a little brighter just for her.

Jimmy and his friends were elated, tonight was their night! It was time for them to shine bright, for tonight they were in the limelight!